Western Michigan University

Department of Family & Consumer Sciences

CFLE Approved

Last Updated

December 5, 2016

The department's mission is to provide integrative educational programs and conduct research focused on reciprocal relationships among individuals, families, and their near environment toward the goal of improving the quality of life within a dynamic world community.

For students who desire dynamic careers in serving children, youth, adults, and families, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) department at Western Michigan University offers two unique degrees that focus on the needs of children and families within the context of their communities. Family Studies and Child & Family Development majors are designed to provide a comprehensive educational curriculum taught from an ecological perspective. The program features a multicultural perspective that helps families and individuals interface with a diverse and changing global community. Students explore relationships among individuals and families and their environment and culture with the goal of improving quality of life within communities and society at large. Both majors have access to the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program in which qualifying students may earn up to 12 graduate credits during their final semesters as an undergraduate student.Courses are offered in person, and most courses are also offered online or in hybrid formats. In a new initiative, students can complete the majority of their coursework online while coming to campus for two multi-day unique learning and networking experiences. This format provides students with the flexibility to complete their degree from anywhere in the world.

Graduate Program

Graduate Director

Dr. Karen Blaisure

Graduate Courses Offered

Gender, Culture & Families

Consumer Education

Human Sexuality

Family Life Education

Adult/Child Interaction

Family Law, Ethics, & Professional Issues

Studies in Family Relationships

Introduction to Basic Research Design & Methods

Interpersonal Techniques for Working with Families

Practicum

Independent Research

Masters Thesis (optional)

Graduate Accreditations/Approval

CFLE

Master's Level

Masters Program Options

Family Life Education

Masters Comments

The MA in Family & Consumer Sciences (with options in Child Life and in Family Life Education) is offered on the main campus in Kalamazoo and in Grand Rapids. Selected courses are offered on line, including nine credit hours of course work in Kinship Care Families. Certificate programs are available in Holistic Health, Non-profit Administration, and Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

CFLE Information

NCFR recognizes schools offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with course work that follows the Standards and Criteria required for approval as a Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). NCFR approval allows the school to offer their graduates the opportunity to apply for Provisional Certification using the Abbreviated Application process. The CFLE Checklist represents the courses that meet the CFLE criteria at that school. Students must complete all the courses on a checklist in order to qualify to apply for the CFLE designation through the Abbreviated Application process.

Note: Those who entered the Child & Family Development and Family Studies programs after fall 2015 should use the 2015 checklist. Those who entered the programs prior to fall 2015 may have to use both the 2011 & 2015 checklists to cover all course requirements.